Breaking: Low Day for Highlife as Dr Victor Olaiya Dies

Ololade Adeyanju/

Legendary Highlife Music Maestro, Sir Victor Abimbola Olaiya (OON), is dead.

NewsmakersNG learnt that Olaiya died at about 12 noon at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LUTH). He was 89 years.

Olaiya made his claim to fame in the 1950s and was once described as “The Evil Genius of Highlife” by legendary Daily Times satirist, Alhaji Alade Odunewu.

Speaking on the loss, a leading light in Nigeria’s Music Industry and former President of the Performing Musician Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli, posted on his Facebook page: “The Death of the Doyen of Highlife music in Nigeria. The entire music world wishes to announce the death of a Living Legend of Highlife music one of the last man standing, the last of the original Dr Victor Abimbola Olaiya OON.

“This untimely incident happened at Luth hospital Lagos State at exactly 12noon today Wednesday 12th of February, 2020.. We pray that the Doyen of highlife music finds repose with the creator while wishing the family and entire music community the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. And to my namesake Abimbola Olaiya I will miss your contribution to HIGHLIFE MUSIC. Dr Victor Abimbola Olaiya was 89 years of age in December.”